2013/14 Rugby Thread

An excellent, tight high quality match which could have gone either way. Just the sort of match you get in the RWC. Strange decision not to kick for 3 before half time (thats Robshaws call so no critism for Farrel there but i agree eith @DanW his kicking under pressure has dropped a notch). A lesson for both sides about silly mistakes in lead up to both tries, push and restart. Brown was outstanding again and May will improve, we are missing Tuilangi as 36 hasnt really ceased his chance. We do need to blood Ford and get him some gametime. Farrell was a bit naive not to put his arms up/around on that hit, had he done so its no penalty imo.

I love the sniping on here from the Welsh, typical comments about back play etc, fact is we won a tight game without playing our best and without the comfort that the missed first try would have brought. England Wales now set up very nicely, England favourites as we are the home team. Hard to read much into Wales win as France where so poor. England scrummage needs to be better.

@aa yes I did hear Moore as I watched the game again at 1am as you do after ample guiness. Still wasnt any wiser about scrummaging. Wales will be difficult, Moore also said after the first scrum we would lose the match. As posted above by another May had the ball knocked away as he stretched for the line. England arent thr only side to fail to convert every overlap. The margin of victory or defeat on 6th will be more than we saw yesterday. I still say homefield advantage will be key.

Regarding Lawes - I take it its because the maul was technically finished as the two Irish players broke away and formed a new ruck that penalty was given as if it was still a maul Lawes could have 'tackled'a nd stayed where he was?

Odds on tuilagi getting called up and injured again before the end of the six nations? Pretty bloody high I reckon, for no reason at all, we know what he does, it's bloody brilliant and he shouldn't be risked at half fitness

J Davies looking very very rusty and missing tackles cant see him playing at Twickenham next week.

Stop trying to cheer us up AA.
As usual I am V pessimisitic.
If you ask me Care and the missed distribution opportunities were part of the England of old, the trundlemuppets. He was channelling Mike Tindall and looking for personal glory instead of making the best decisions for the good of the team win. Disappointed and not at all convinced by the "new england". The media piss me off with all there vaunting of us, when in fact it was luck and and fag papers difference between us and Ireland. TBH we had trouble putting those twenty points on Scotland, and it wouldn't surprise me if we get beaten by Wales and Italy.
Next year when Vern Cotter get his hands on Scotland it will be Eng and Italy vying for the wooden spoon.

Nice to see tigers starting to look decent again - what a difference a Tuilagi makes! In this case, it was a lot to do with the space left for the other backs as Manu had 2 players on him every time he got near the ball. Nice to see the lad back. Great quote from Richard Cockerel as well

"We have been crap all season and we are joint third, whereas Bath have been awesome and they are joint third. That's how it works sometimes. We've been crap all year but look where we are. Just think where we could be if we played half-decent."

Richard Cockerill is a ****.
Glad Manu is back he's a damn fine player doubt he will start v Wales though will he. Burrel has done well and should keep the shirt. Davies on the other hand will be straight back in for Wales, fingers crossed he copes.

I've always liked Cockers, you get what it says on the tin. He's no worse than the rest of the DoR's and the constant stream of 'advice' to the match officials.
I hope manu won't be back into the England team, he could do with getting back into playing at Tiggers first, however England do have a habit of taking a half fit player and destroying them, so I sadly wouldn't be surprised.
Luther should be big enough to take on Jamie, although I don't think he's at the same level, he should be able to do a job, and to be honest, we need a second centre who can fight for the position!

Strictly speaking is wasn't abusive towards the official at Northampton, he said to the linesman that if the ref didn't start looking after the Leicester players, he'd tell the Leicester pack to smash the **** in the Northampton team. Seems fair to me, and nothing other DoR's haven't said. Oddly, one of the blokes who reported him has previous for telling Cockers to meet him in the car park after the game for a fight!!
Newport ban was different though I admit.

@tinybits - agree re Cockerill, he's not complicated and you know what youre going to get. As an aside he provided one of the best comedy moments I've ever seen live. A wet and windy day and the Aussie hooker had just lovingly wiped the ball clean prior to a line out throw in, Cockerill was stood watching intently and just as he finished drying the ball Cockerill took the drinks bottle he'd been holding behind his back and sprayed the ball !

Might have played u18's or whatever I suppose.
Its always the english players coming out with this crap in recent years. I think what they really want to say is we hate the welsh but they know they cant.

How very insightful of young Nowell.EVERY team in the World hates England! It's always been the way, in every sport!
In the league of hatred of England I reckon Wales come below Scotland and France though, surely.